Volume II, Issue IA
The World's Safest Airline
In 2008, El Al was named by Global Traveler magazine as the world's most secure airline. They know they are a target so they take reasonable precautions. Passengers are asked to report three hours before departure. Civilian and military security personel are present at the airport to watch for anything unusual. All passengers are interviewed individually prior to boarding, so El Al staff can identify possible security threats. Questions typically are about where they are coming from, the reason for their trip, their job or occupation, and whether they have packed their bags themselves.
At the check-in counter the passengers' passports and tickets are closely examined. A ticket without a sticker from the security checkers will not be accepted. At passport control passengers' names are checked against information from the FBI, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Scotland Yard, Shin Bet, and Interpol databases. Luggage is screened and sometimes hand searched. In addition, bags are put through a decompression chamber simulating pressures during flight that could trigger explosives.
All El Al pilots are former Israeli Air Force pilots. The cockpits are equipped with double doors to prevent entry by unauthorized persons. A code is required to access the doors, and the second door will only be opened after the first has closed and the person has been identified by the Captain or First Officer. Reinforced steel floors separate the passenger cabin from the baggage hold as an additional precaution.
Armed sky marshalls are present on all flights and are mixed with the passengers.
El Al planes also feature a sophisticated infrared missle defense system, added after a 2002 attempt to shoot down one of their planes.
The airline is regularly criticized for 'profiling' passengers. They probably don't waste time wanding grandma and some blonde lady while you are waiting your turn. They're too busy keeping everyone safe.
Fear of Flying Imans
On Friday police shot a 27 year-old Somoli with ties to al-shabaab, al-Quaeda's East Africa branch, as he tried to enter the home of Kurt Westergaard. Westergaard, you may recall, is the Danish cartoonist who depicted the prophet Mohammed with a bomb in his turban.
The unidentified Somoli was wielding an axe and a knife and alledgedly attacked police when they discovered him attempting to enter Westergaad's home through a window.
After Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian with al-Qaeda ties tried to light a bomb in his briefs on a plane descending into Detroit, does anyone see a pattern here? Young 'lonely' men seduced into a sinister plot to do mayhem to Western civilization and anyone who would dare criticize them for plotting to do mayhem to Western civilization.
What Our TSA Needs to Learn
Mark Steyn Has This [click to read] in Jewish World Review.
Obama's Near Miss [click to read]. Judith Miller in City Journal
Here is the 'companion' TIME Issue [click to read]. I was told that since many Conservatives don't bother to look at the 'Professional' weekly news magazine anymore, someone might miss the full impact of my 'cover commentary.'
El Al Airline [click to read]. Book your flight to Israel or many other destinations.
Official Israel Tourism Website [click to read].
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